Apparatus for making barbed material

#U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,164 issued Mar. 2, 1976 discloses a process for making barbed material. The present invention concerns an apparatus for use in a process such as that described in the said patent.

#Although various forms of barbed wire has been in use for more than a hundred years, it has certain disadvantages. It is awkward to handle because it is usually supplied in coils with many barbs exposed. This is particularly objectionable for military use where obstacles must sometimes be installed under adverse conditions of weather and terrain.

#Flat tapes with barbs along their edges have the distinct advantage that they can be coiled on a reel. In this compact form they occupy relatively little space and the sides of the reel can cover the barbs thus protecting the person handling the material. Such tapes can also be incorporated into various self-supporting obstacles such as the well-known concertina.

#This and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view, from above, and partly sectioned, of an apparatus for making barbed material.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken in the plane indicated by numerals 2--2 on FIG. 1.

#Referring to the drawings in detail the apparatus comprises a base 21 on which is mounted a pair of guides 6 and 7. One end of each guide is adapted for swiveling around a pivot 8 which is supported on base 21. The other end of each guide is attached to an adjustable support so that the included angle between the guides can be fixed within certain limits. Brackets 45 and 47 are affixed to base 21. An eyebolt 53 passes through a suitable hole in each bracket and is secured by nut 57.

#The eye of each eyebolt engages with a stud 49 fixed on guide 6, or 51 fixed on guide 7. One or more spacers 55 are placed on each eyebolt between the bracket and the guide to adjust the angle between the guides. The nut is then tightened to secure each guide in position.

#The end of each guide near pivot 8 is rounded as indicated at 10. This shape provides a smooth contact for material which is being passed between the guides. The material might be a strip such as 1 in FIG. 1, which is assumed to be moving from left to right of the viewer, as indicated by arrow 100.